Not only did Sunday mark the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the U.S., but it also marked the beginning of something else historical: fighting obesity once and for all.

President Barack Obama recently announced September as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month.

According to national health reports, one out of three or 12.5 million children in the United States are obese. Local health officials say 70 percent of those children will remain obese as adults.

In addition, 25 percent of children in Dallas County are obese — which honestly, is shameful!

In a society where eating fatty, greasy and sugary foods and snacks is the norm, it’s no wonder our children are suffering.

And with the recent Washington initiative, “Let’s Move” launched by first lady Michelle Obama to help curb the epidemic of childhood obesity and encourage healthier lifestyles, maybe there will be significant changes in the near future.

I’ve never had issues with weight, but I know this is not the case for everyone. As toddlers, my sisters and I were encouraged to eat generous servings of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein.

It was nothing unusual to reach into the refrigerator and munch on a carrot or go to the local market for a basket or two of grapes and peaches. For the Taylors, eating right was a way of life.

My parents always made sure we had hot, balanced meals throughout the day. Even at school our teachers urged us to eat breakfast, savor lunch and valiantly drink our 100 percent pouches of orange juice or 2 percent cartons of chocolate milk.

Throughout elementary school, I remembered taking physical education classes and they being required.

Our instructors made sure we had adequate rounds of jumping jacks, jump rope, jogging and full-body conditioning, enough to pass out from exhaustion.

It’s a shame that not even 10 years later, children are not required to exercise at school or at home.

Maybe the Obama’s initiatives will help our country look better physically?

Maybe the continual physical activity will bring noticeably beneficial changes in the generations to come?